September 19 - Bring It On!

The doctor reported that there was no excess bone growing in AJ's shoulder, but they did find some bone beginning to form in his buttocks tissue!  They want to start him on a medication that will stop the bone from growing and resolve it. The only complication is that his neck is still healing so there is a concern about reducing the rate of bone healing there. Our doctor feels that the delay of healing in the neck is minimal compared to the damage and complications caused by allowing random bone growth in other tissue.  So, we are going ahead with the medication. We feel amazed and grateful to have the technology that can discover these problems so early and at the medication that can repair it!

Today AJ continued to work on tripod sitting and was introduced to the concept of balancing in an unsupported sitting position. This is done by moving the arms side to side or front to back and tilting the head in the same direction.  Always working hard at what is being asked, AJ put his whole efforts into this!  It was incredibly painful and exhausting.  It even became somewhat frustrating because he can't feel where his body is going until he's falling too far.  The PT felt good about his attempts and said that it will come with practice.

In our family, we really like the Disney movie, "The Emperor's New Groove". Sometimes when I watch AJ facing the challenges and difficulties of his day with such determination, this quote from that movie comes to my mind:

"Don't tell me.  We're about to go over a huge waterfall. 

Yep. 

Sharp rocks at the bottom? 

Most likely. 

Bring it on!"

(Picture of AJ with his brothers and mom at the beginning of this experience.)